Heather was appointed Open Heart Kitchen’s Executive Director in January, 2017. Prior to this role, she served as the Executive Director of Monterey Zoological Society, and co-founded Elephants of Africa Rescue Society where she also served as CFO. She brings over 18 years of experience in Nonprofit Management and utilizes her experience to drive organizational growth without compromising program quality.
Felicia is a Certified Dietary Manager with over 10 years of experience operating various kitchens in hospitals, nursing homes, and the county jail. Felicia runs the day-to-day operations and management of food services. Felicia loves the rodeo, fishing, and Pokeno! She joined the OHK family in March, 2020.
Denise oversees fundraising and donor relations for Open Heart Kitchen. Denise has experience in fundraising, marketing and event planning for various nonprofits including The Health Trust, Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund and Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Most recently, she was the development officer at the Bankhead Theater where she was responsible for sponsorships, grants, and major gifts. She currently volunteers for Mighty4 Arts Foundation and serves on the board of Tri-Valley Haven.
When did you join the OHK team? : I have volunteered for OHK since 2015, and I joined the team in 2017.
What is your favorite meal? : Escalope de veau Montagnarde
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : I love to bake breads
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : All 3 together!
What is your favorite thing about the Tri-Valley? : The hiking trails and vineyards.
What is your favorite OHK meal? : Definitely our stuffed bell peppers.
Shawnda joined Open Heart Kitchen in November of 2010 as a Site Supervisor before assuming her current role as Volunteer Coordinator. Whether you are a guest or a volunteer, Bost has a passion for helping people find their “fit” in the Open Heart Kitchen family. Under her leadership, Open Heart Kitchen’s volunteer base has grown to one of the largest volunteer networks in the Tri-Valley. Prior to joining Open Heart Kitchen, Bost served more than 15 years in customer service and logistics.
Christi has been with Open Heart Kitchen since 2015. Christi worked in customer support before becoming a stay at home mom to her 3 children. Through her position at Open Heart Kitchen she encourages her own children to volunteer in the kitchens and learn the importance of giving back to the community. When she's not giving back to the community she can be found gardening, or in her kitchen baking up a delicious new confection!
Becki grew up in England and lived in Australia for a number of years. Lucky for us, she moved to California in 2016 and started volunteering in our kitchen and eventually joined our team as a Site Supervisor, and she is now a Program Coordinator for our Volunteer Services Department. In her spare time Becki loves to travel, as well as volunteer at the Valley Humane Society where she follows her deep passion for helping animals.
Liz built a career in Silicon Valley, but always held a passion for cooking, baking, and helping people. She enrolled in the culinary program at Diablo Valley College, which led her to begin volunteering regularly at Open Heart Kitchen in 2017 and joined our team in 2018.
Chef Kristen joined our Production Kitchen team in 2020. During the COVID-19 situation our Production Kitchen team is producing more than 800 free and nutritious meals every day!
Chef Jorge joined our team in 2020, bringing his 20 years of experience in commercial kitchens. Chef Jorge's passion for cooking was inspired by helping his mom in the kitchen when he was growing up. He loves to prepare meals for people to enjoy, and he definitely gets to do that as he helps lead the OHK team in the production of more than 800 meals daily! When Jorge's not making delicious meals for our neighbors in need, he enjoys basketball and mountain biking.
Rosalba joined our kitchen in 2020.
When did you join the OHK team? : I was introduced to Open Heart Kitchen when I was about 10 years old. One of my cousins actually used to volunteer at an old site that ended up burning down here in Livermore. Later on I became a volunteer myself at every single site except the Dublin Senior Center, and now as of 2020 I work here!
What is your favorite meal? : My favorite meal is definitely pasta, chicken Alfredo to vodka pasta I love it all.
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : My favorite thing to cook is probably chilaquiles. It’s a Mexican dish that mainly consists of tortillas salsa and cheese.
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : SPICYYY!! I LIVE for spicy foods.
What is your favorite thing about the Tri-Valley? : My favorite thing about the Tri Valley is the sceneries of the grapevines in the mountains on a beautiful sunny day.
What is your favorite OHK meal? : My all time favorite meal has to be the chicken jambalaya or the mashed potatoes and meatloaf.
Michelle joined our grocery distribution team in 2021
Todd is the driving force behind our Bag Lunch Program, managing volunteers in the creation and distribution of more than 2,500 bags weekly. In addition to that, he delivers meals to our Senior & Hot Meal sites, and picks up large donations. Before joining the OHK team, Todd was a stay at home dad and worked with middle school-aged kids at Crosswinds Church in Livermore. He has been married for 25 years to his wife Synthia, with whom he has a daughter, 2 dogs and a rescue cat.
Tanaka joined our kitchen in 2020.
When did you join the OHK team? : Kaleigh joined our team in 2020.
What is your favorite meal? : Chicken strips
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : My favorite thing to make is pancakes
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : Spicy
When did you join the OHK team? : I joined OHK in 2000 as a volunteer, and became one of the first (of only three) staff members in 2001. I became a Site Supervisor, and joined the OHK Board of Directors in 2005 while continuing site-supervising. I started working on the Street Outreach Team due to COVID-19 in March 2020.
What is your favorite meal? : Grilled salmon
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : Portuguese Sweet Bread
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : I’m a sweet / salty fan!
What is your favorite OHK meal? : Clients tell me their favorites are: spaghetti, barbecue chicken, lasagna and chile beans.
What is your favorite thing about the Tri-Valley? : The country atmosphere, family-friendly feel, scenic rolling hills & vineyards.
Sharon has been with Open Heart Kitchen since 2014 and oversees the Senior Meal service at our Livermore Community Center site, as well as the Hot Meal service at our Asbury and Trinity sites.
Heather is a third generation (and raising the fourth!) Livermore resident who has a long history of volunteering in the community. She has recently made the career change after 30 years in the restaurant industry to join Open Heart Kitchen to pursue her passion for giving back to our community. In her time off she enjoys finding unique travel adventures within the Bay Area and cooking for Cub Scout camps every summer.
From a young age Najah always felt a strong pull to all things humanitarian. Always interested in different cultures, nature, animals, food and music. Coming from a background of artists, teachers and caregivers, it was no surprise to loved ones when Najah began performing poetry for assemblies and joined the choir. She experienced grand opportunities growing up from participating in Big Brothers Big Sisters, to dancing with the Ladzekpos. She even received accolades on her art piece from Yo-Yo Ma himself. Najah now focuses on her passion for horticulture as well as helping others, feeling that nurturing and helping others is the best way to live.. She joined our Production Kitchen team in 2020.
When did you join the OHK team? : I started September 1st 2020. A friend of mine from City Serve told me OHK was looking for cooks.
What is your favorite meal? : Homemade chicken noodle soup.
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : Pie/Dessert
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : Sweet
What is your favorite OHK meal? : Jambalaya
When did you join the OHK team? : I started at Open Heart Kitchen in June 2020 as an assistant cook and moved to the Livermore location in late August 2020.
What is your favorite meal? : My favorite meal, I have to say, is breakfast. There’s so many variations but usually something that includes eggs and potatoes, and waffles. Definitely waffles. And did I mention bacon and sausage? Also, I really like a good burger.
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : I really enjoyed grilling and barbecuing, smoking meats, and making sausages and bacon from scratch.
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : Definitely spicy.
What is your favorite OHK meal? : The bell pepper casserole is always good, as is the chili with cornbread. The kitchen also makes a really great meatloaf.
When did you join the OHK team? : I joined OHK in December, 2020.
What is your favorite meal? : Mac and cheese
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : Blueberry pancakes
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : Sweet
What is your favorite thing about the Tri-Valley? : My favorite thing about the Tri-Valley is that it's nice and quiet.
Evelyn moved to California from Chicago in 2005, and joined the Open Heart Kitchen family that same year. The things that Evelyn enjoys most about working for Open Heart Kitchen is the sense of fullfillment and purpose that it gives her, as well as working with Open Heart's volunteers and staff.
When did you join the OHK team? : I found out about the OHK Street Outreach Team after applying to volunteer right before the Covid lockdowns in 2020.
What is your favorite meal? : Chicken slathered in mole poblano with corn tortillas, beans and rice
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : My personal specialty is linguine with prawns and spicy, vodka sauce.
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : Spicy
What is your favorite thing about the Tri-Valley? : My favorite things about the Tri-Valley is our hiking trains and the diversity of cultures.
What is your favorite OHK meal? : I LOVE our meatloaf and mash potatoes.
Jody has been a long time volunteer, and joined our team at the Dublin Senior Center in 2020.
Linda joined Open Heart Kitchen as a Site Supervisor in July, 2017. Volunteering at the Pleasanton Senior Center and working with her fellow volunteers sparked her interest in joining our team. Prior to coming to OHK, Linda worked in tech in Silicon Valley, but realized her real passion was working with food and interacting with people. Linda makes every diner that walks into our dining room feel special, and she has a gift for telling our diners' whole stories in a way that is both empowering and uplifting.
Loree supervises our Senior Meal Service at the Dublin Senior Center by day, and delivers meals to our unhoused community members in the afternoons. This means that each day she is serving clients in all 3 Tri-Valley cities!
Patricia has been a regular volunteer for many years, and joined our Pleasanton Senior Center team in 2020.
Smruti grew up in India and has been living in the United States for the past thirty years. She has an educational background in nutrition and dietetics and enjoys cooking and trying out various ethnic foods. She loves to travel, garden, and her new found interest of quilting. Smruti joined the OHK team in the midst of the Covid 19 pandemic to assist with the Senior Meal Program at the Dublin Senior Center. She feels happy to give her time and use her education to serve the community.
When did you join the OHK team? : Michelle started volunteering with OHK in 2019, and became a Site Supervisor in February, 2020.
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : I love baking, and I especially love to make a cake known as medovik.
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : Spicy all the way!
What is your favorite OHK meal? : I love the veggie lasagna.
Martin joined our grocery distribution team in 2020.
When did you join the OHK team? : I joined OHK in 2020 because some of my family had volunteered for the Senior Meal Program at the Dublin Senior Center in the past and had a good experience there. I resonated with OHK’s mission and wanted to be a part of it.
What is your favorite food to cook or bake? : My favorite thing to make is soup, especially during the winter!
Salty, Spicy or Sweet? : If I had to pick between sweet salty and spicy, I would definitely go with spicy. 🙂
Cameron joined our grocery distribution team in 2020
Steve is a proud Dublin resident who spent nearly 30 years of commuting into Silicon Valley where he worked for the San Jose Mercury News as a reporter, deputy managing editor and editorial page editor. Instead of retirement, Steve yearned for “refirement": something less career-driven and more service oriented.This passion lead him to Open Heart Kitchen.